The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has taken action against five Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms for allegedly streaming obscene content, citing violations of obscenity laws. The banned platforms include MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel, and Jugnu. This move follows previous bans on platforms like Ullu and ALTT for similar reasons.
Under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media, Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the government has the authority to block online service providers failing to comply with legal obligations regarding harmful content. By enforcing these regulations, intermediaries lose their liability exemption for third-party content.
This isn’t the first time the government has cracked down on OTT platforms. In the past, the MIB blocked 25 platforms for streaming obscene and vulgar content, including graphic sexual innuendos and pornographic material.
By regulating OTT platforms, the government aims to fill the gap in content oversight compared to traditional media. This ongoing scrutiny underscores the importance of adhering to content guidelines in the digital realm.
Source: Inc42 Media